Meter housing

ABSTRACT

A water meter housing and cover has a body portion of generally frustoconical shape. The top of the body member has a recessed flange therein for receiving a cover. The cover has a downwardly extending ring integral therewith for reinforcement. The body has vertical slots running from the bottom portion thereof extending upwardly less than the height of the body. The exterior of the body further has peripheral reinforcing stabilizing rings integral therewith.

United States Patent Sauriol [45] Reissued Dec. 9, 1975 METER HOUSING3,268,636 8/1966 Angell 264/51 3,276.l76 10/1966 .lonsson et a]. 52/704X [75] hwemm John saum'i Dallas 3.548.864 12/1970 Handley et al 137/3647 Assignee; Intercontinental plasics 3,621,623 11/1971 Downes 52/20Manufacturing, Dallas, Tex.

[2221 Filed: 1975 Primary ExaminerPrice C. Faw. Jr. [21] Appl. No:541,214 Attorney, Agent, or Firml(enneth R. Glaser Related US. PatentDocuments Reissue of:

[64] Patent No.: 3,717,963

lssued: Feb. 27, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT Appl. No.: 121,480 Filed: M 5, 1971A water meter housing and cover has a body portion of generallyfrustoccnical shape. The top of the body 52/19; 52/309; 137/364; memberhas a recessed flange therein for receiving a 404/5 cover. The cover hasa downwardly extending ring in- 51 Int. Cl. E02D 29/08 tegral therewithfor reinforcement The y has [53] Fi ld f S h 52 19 20 2 2 309 ticalslots running from the bottom portion thereof ex- 52/630; 137/236, 343364 367 37]; 404/5 tending upwardly less than the height of the body.The exterior of the body further has peripheral reinforcing (56] ReferCit d stabilizing rings integral therewith.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,099,479 11/1937 Heinkel et al. 137/367 7 Claims,5 Drawing Figures Reissued Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 Re. 28,640

FIG. 4

INVENTOR'. JOHN TI SAURIOL FIG 5 ATTORNEYS Reissued Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet 2of2 Re. 28,640

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F IG. 3

INVENTORI JOHN 1. SAURIOL w. %,m WM

METER HOUSING Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the originalpatent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printedin italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART This invention relates to protective housingsin general and in particular to underground meter housing with surfaceaccess openings.

Prior housings for isolating and protecting underground meters such aswater meters have been made of variety of structural materials, forexample, concrete, cast and corrugated sheet metals, and flexibleplastics These housings have taken a variety of shapes includingcircular cast and corrugated metal housing, rectangular concrete, andrectangular flexible plastic housings.

These prior housings have been the sujbect of many problems. The oldestprior housings were constructed of precast concrete and metal. Some suchhousings contain a concrete body in conjunction with a metal lid. Any ofthe foregoing combinations are, obviously, difficult to handle becauseof their bulkiness and great weight. In addition, the concrete housingshave a tendency to be easily broken. Also, since these housings arerelatively heavy, they have a great tendency to sink into the ground andthus must be periodically excavated, raised and stabilized.

For some of the foregoing reasons, plastics, specifically certainsemirigid plastics, were tried as construction material for water meterhousings. Prior attempts at making such housings have met with failurefor a number of reasons. Firstly, the plastics utilized are susceptibleto breaking. In addition, high pressure of the earth on these semirigidplastic housings has caused sufficient deformation so that the coverstherefor have been wedged into place. Such wedging has caused difficultcover removal and virtually impossible cover replacement since the coveropening deforms to less than original size.

It is desirable, therefore, to possess a water meter housing which issubstantially structurally rigid, which is lightweight, which will tendnot to sink into the ground necessitating raising, which can withstandrough handling without breaking, which provides easy access forunderground inlet and outlet pipes to a meter housed therein, and whichprovides easy access to the interior thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides the foregoingdesirable attributes with a meter housing comprising an upstanding walldefining a cavity open to the bottom and top thereof, an annular topmember integral with the wall at the top peripheral portion thereof, arecessed flanged means integral with the inner peripheral portion of thetop member for receiving a cover. Also provided is a cover for thehousing comprising a unitary body including a plate of generallycircular construction integral with an annular downwardly extending ringof a diameter less than the plate diameter, reinforcing means extendingdownwardly and diametrically across the ring and integral with the plateand the ring. Both the housing and the cover can be made from a moldedsynthetic thermoplastic material such as structural foamed polyethylene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the ensuingspecification can be derived by reading it in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the housing and cover with the coverraised above the receptacle;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the housing of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the housingtaken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the housing cover of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the cover takenalong section line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention isdescribed in relation to a preferred embodiment. It is to be understoodthat various substitutions, alterations and other equivalent structuralchanges can be made without departing from the inventive concept. Thepresent invention is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the housing generally designated 10 has agenerally frustoconical shape. The top 12 of the housing has a recessedflange 14 for receiving the cover 16. Housings of this type aregenerally used for protecting submerged devices such as water metersfrom the surrounding earth, concrete or other sub ground levelconstruction material. Normally, the top of the housing and the top ofthe cover are at ground level. Everything below the top 12 of thehousing is generally underground. An opening 18 and a similar opening 20(illustrated in later figures) diametrically opposed from opening 18 areprovided for access for piping to, for example, a water meter.

The housing and cover of the present invention are molded from asynthetic polymeric material which provides rigidity, high strength andhigh impact resistance. Most preferred for the present invention is afoamed polyethylene which can be utilized in accord with the teachingsof US. Pat. No. 3,268,636.

Referring now jointly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 10 includes asidewall or body portion 22 which in the preferredform of the inventionis generally of a frustoconical shape. The sidewall contains openings 18and 20 extending upwardly from the bottom of the sidewalls 22 to apredetermined height. Openings l8 and 20 are provided for access ofpipes or other conduits to the interior cavity of the housing 22.Surrounding the openings 18 and 20 are reinforcing flanges 26. In thepreferred embodiment such openings 18 and 20 are provided atdiametrically opposed portions of the body 22.

Integral with the top peripheral portion of the wall 22 is an annularring portion 28. Connected to the interior peripheral portion is arecessed flange 30. The flange is of such size and recessed to such adistance that it will receive the cover (described in conjunction withFIGS. 4 and 5) retaining the cover top substantially flush with the topof the ring portion 28. Internal of the wall 22 are a plurality ofreinforcing means 32. In the preferred embodiment of the reinforcingmeans 32 include a plurality ofrib members integral with the wall 22,ring portion 28, and recessed flange 30. The flanges provide additionalstrength to the housing and support for recessed flange 30 and ringportion 28. It is, of course, to be understood that the reinforcingmeans illustrated is but one form of reinforcement which can beprovided.

As stated, one of the prior art problems has been to eliminate or reducethe sinking of meter housings into the ground as the earth around themcompacts. The peripheral stabilizer rings or flanges 34 are provided tocombat this problem. Three such flanges 34 have been illustrated. Theflanges 34 are integral with and extend outwardly from the exterior ofhousing 22. The bottom portion 36 of the flanges grips the earth orother materials surrounding the housing tending to prevent the sinkingof the housing. In addition, the flanges 34 provide extra support andstrength to the body 22, eliminating the crushing deformation effectexperienced in prior plastic housings.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the cover for the housing describedabove is a unitary cover structure 16 also molded from a syntheticpolymeric material, such as that from which the housing is molded. Thecover includes a generally disc or plate-shaped top portion 38, thediameter of which is sized to fit into the recessed flange (FIGS. 2 and3). It is, of course, to be understood that the manufacturers name, theidentification of what is contained within the housing, and otherdescriptive material can be integrally molded on the top of the cover16.

The cover 16 is provided in the preferred embodiment with a key aperturethrough which an appropriate key can be inserted to engage a lockingmechanism to prevent theft of the cover or access to the interior of thehousing. The locking mechanism is not shown since it does not form apart of the present invention.

Extending downwardly from the bottom portion of the plate 38 is a ringmember 42 integral with the plate 38. The ring member 42 providesadditional structural reinforcement for the plate 38 and is sized suchthat it will fit into the opening 44 (FIGS. 2 and 3) formed by recessedflange 30. The exterior surface 46 of the ring member 42 is slightlytapered radially inwardly from where it joins the plate 38. Thisprovides easy fitting of the cover into opening 44. Also provided on thecover is a flange 48 which is integral with the plate 38 and ring 42.Flange 48 is spaced from the plate 40 exterior of the ring 42 a distanceslightly greater than the vertical thickness of recessed flange 30(FIGS. 2 and 3). Flange 48 fits under recessed flange 30 to retain thecover blank in the opening 44 at a position opposite the lockingmechanism (not shown).

The cover of the present invention when appropriately sized can be usedwith other types of housings manufactured from other materials. It isreadily adaptable to be used both with prior metal housings and withprior concrete castings now in use.

What is claimed is:

l. A water meter housing assembly comprising:

an upstanding wall defining a frustoconical housing having a cavity opento the bottom and top thereof, an annular top member integral with saidwall at the upper peripheral portion thereof,

an annular flange integrally formed about the inner periphery of saidtop member and recessed toward the interior cavity of said frustoconicalhousing, said annular flange defining an opening in the top of saidhousing,

a cover for said housing including a circular plate dimensioned to fitwithin the inner periphery of said annular top member and to abutagainst the upper portion of said annular flange, said cover furtherincluding an annular downwardly extending ring of a diameter to fitthrough said opening defined by said annular flange,

at least one substantially vertical opening to said cavity extendingfrom the bottom portion of said wall to a predetermined location lessthan the height of said wall, and

a plurality of stabilizer rings extending about the circumference ofsaid wall and vertically spaced along said wall to tend to preventsinking of said housing.

2. The housing assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a plurality ofreinforcing ribs integrally connecting said wall, said top member andsaid annular flange.

3. The housing assembly of claim 1 wherein said housing and said coverare constructed from foamed polyethylene.

4. A water meter housing assembly for underground installation,comprising:

a main housing portion of semi-rigid plastic material susceptible todeformation by earth pressure when installed underground, said mainhousing portion defined by a circumferential enclosing and upstandingwall having a cavity open to the bottom and top thereof,

closure member support means of said semi-rigid plastic materialintegral with said wall at the top thereof, said closure member supportmeans comprising a generally downwardly extending annular portioncircumferentially extending around the entire cavity and separated fromsaid wall by a circumferentially extending channel, said annular portionterminating in a generally horizontally extending flange defining aledge,

a plurality of ribs intersecting said channel around the entirecircumference thereof, each of said ribs being integrally formed withsaid wall and said closure member support means, thereby to preventdeformation of said closure member support means with respect to saidwall when subjected to said earth pressure, whereby the inner peripheryof said annular portion of said closure member support means maintains asubstantially constant circumference; and

a closure member dimensioned to fit within the substantially constantcircumference of the inner periphery of said annular portion and to besupported by said ledge.

5. The water meter housing assembly as defined by claim 4 wherein saidcircumferential enclosing and upstanding wall slopes outwardly in adirection from the top to bottom thereof, and further including at leastone earth engaging flange integral with and extending about thecircumference of said wall to prevent the sinking of said main housingportion.

6. A water meter housing assembly comprising:

an upstanding wall defining a frustoconical housing having a cavity opento the bottom and top thereof,

an annular top member integral with said wall at the upper peripheralportion thereof,

an annular flange integrally formed about the inner periphery of saidtop member and recessed toward the interior cavity of said frustoconicalhousing, said annular flange defining an opening in the top of saidhousing,

a cover for said housing including a circular plate dimensioned to fitwithin the inner periphery of said annular top member and to abutagainst the upper portion of said annularflange, said coverfurtherincluding an annular downwardly extending ring ofa diameter to fitthrough said opening defined by said annularflange,

at least one substantially vertical opening to said cavity extendingfrom the bottom portion of said wall to a predetermined location lessthan the height of said wall, and

at least one stabilizer ring extending about the circumference of, andtransverse to the vertical direction of, said wall to tend to preventsinking of said housing.

7. A water meter housing assembly comprising:

an upstanding wall defining a housing having a cavity open to the bottomand top thereof, the upstanding wall sloping outwardly from the toptoward said bottom,

a top member integral with said wall at the upper peripheral portionthereof,

aflange integrally formed about the inner periphery of said top memberand recessed toward the interior cavity of said housing, saidflangedefining an opening in the top of said housing,

a plurality of ribs integrally connecting said upstanding wall, said topmember, and saidflange, said plurality of ribs preventing thedeformation of the opening in the top of said housing by earth pressurewhen the housing is installed underground,

0 cover for said housing dimensioned to fit within the inner peripheryof said top member and to abut against the upper portion of said flange,said cover further including a downwardly extending peripheral portiondimensioned to fit through said opening defined by said flange,

at least one substantially vertical opening to said cavity extendingfrom the bottom portion of said wall to a predetermined location lessthan the height of said wall, and

at least one stabilizer ring member extending about the circumferenceof, and transverse to the vertical direction of, said wall to tend toprevent sinking ofsaid housing.

1. A water meter housing assembly comprising: an upstanding walldefining a frustoconical housing having a cavity open to the bottom andtop thereof, an annular top member integral with said wall at the upperperipheral portion thereof, an annular flange integrally formed aboutthe inner periphery of said top member and recessed toward the interiorcavity of said frustoconical housing, said annular flange defining anopening in the top of said housing, a cover for said housing including acircular plate dimensioned to fit within the inner periphery of saidannular top member and to abut against the upper portion of said annularflange, said cover further including an annular downwardly extendingring of a diameter to fit through said opening defined by said annularflange, at least one substantially vertical opening to said cavityextending from the bottom portion of said wall to a predeterminedlocation less than the height of said wall, and a plurality ofstabilizer rings extending about the circumference of said wall andvertically spaced along said wall to tend to prevent sinking of saidhousing.
 2. The housing assembly of claim 1 and further comprising aplurality of reinforcing ribs integrally connecting said wall, said topmember and said annular flange.
 3. The housing assembly of claim 1wherein said housing and said cover are constructed from foamedpolyethylene.
 4. A water meter housing assembly for undergroundinstallation, comprising: a main housing portion of semi-rigid plasticmaterial susceptible to deformation by earth pressure when installedunderground, said main housing portion defined by a circumferentialenclosing and upstanding wall having a cavity open to the Bottom and topthereof, closure member support means of said semi-rigid plasticmaterial integral with said wall at the top thereof, said closure membersupport means comprising a generally downwardly extending annularportion circumferentially extending around the entire cavity andseparated from said wall by a circumferentially extending channel, saidannular portion terminating in a generally horizontally extending flangedefining a ledge, a plurality of ribs intersecting said channel aroundthe entire circumference thereof, each of said ribs being integrallyformed with said wall and said closure member support means, thereby toprevent deformation of said closure member support means with respect tosaid wall when subjected to said earth pressure, whereby the innerperiphery of said annular portion of said closure member support meansmaintains a substantially constant circumference; and a closure memberdimensioned to fit within the substantially constant circumference ofthe inner periphery of said annular portion and to be supported by saidledge.
 5. The water meter housing assembly as defined by claim 4 whereinsaid circumferential enclosing and upstanding wall slopes outwardly in adirection from the top to bottom thereof, and further including at leastone earth engaging flange integral with and extending about thecircumference of said wall to prevent the sinking of said main housingportion.
 6. A water meter housing assembly comprising: an upstandingwall defining a frustoconical housing having a cavity open to the bottomand top thereof, an annular top member integral with said wall at theupper peripheral portion thereof, an annular flange integrally formedabout the inner periphery of said top member and recessed toward theinterior cavity of said frustoconical housing, said annular flangedefining an opening in the top of said housing, a cover for said housingincluding a circular plate dimensioned to fit within the inner peripheryof said annular top member and to abut against the upper portion of saidannular flange, said cover further including an annular downwardlyextending ring of a diameter to fit through said opening defined by saidannular flange, at least one substantially vertical opening to saidcavity extending from the bottom portion of said wall to a predeterminedlocation less than the height of said wall, and at least one stabilizerring extending about the circumference of, and transverse to thevertical direction of, said wall to tend to prevent sinking of saidhousing.
 7. A water meter housing assembly comprising: an upstandingwall defining a housing having a cavity open to the bottom and topthereof, the upstanding wall sloping outwardly from the top toward saidbottom, a top member integral with said wall at the upper peripheralportion thereof, a flange integrally formed about the inner periphery ofsaid top member and recessed toward the interior cavity of said housing,said flange defining an opening in the top of said housing, a pluralityof ribs integrally connecting said upstanding wall, said top member, andsaid flange, said plurality of ribs preventing the deformation of theopening in the top of said housing by earth pressure when the housing isinstalled underground, a cover for said housing dimensioned to fitwithin the inner periphery of said top member and to abut against theupper portion of said flange, said cover further including a downwardlyextending peripheral portion dimensioned to fit through said openingdefined by said flange, at least one substantially vertical opening tosaid cavity extending from the bottom portion of said wall to apredetermined location less than the height of said wall, and at leastone stabilizer ring member extending about the circumference of, andtransverse to the vertical direction of, said wall to tenD to preventsinking of said housing.